Fat substitute compositions having reduced laxative effects

ABSTRACT

Anti-laxative agents are included in fat substitute compositions to reduce or eliminate anal leakage in mammals of fat substitute materials having a melting point of about 37° C. or less. In one embodiment, the anti-laxative agents are emulsifiers such as polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids; mono- and di-glycerides; microcrystalline cellulose; ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters of fatty acids; glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acid ester; and propylene glycol mono stearate; or gums, such as xanthan gum.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of priorcopending application Ser. No. 07/677,553, filed Mar. 29, 1991 which isnow abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of fat substitutecompositions, more particularly to those exhibiting reduced laxativeeffects after ingestion by a mammal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fats contribute from 30% to 40% of the total calories consumed by mostAmericans. One of the most common nutritional problems in the UnitedStates today is obesity, which results from the consumption of morecalories than are expended. Consumption of fat is related to manydisease states, such as heart disease. Successful reduction of fatconsumption has not been achieved because of the dietary habits of thetraditional American. Therefore, the search for fat substitutes orlow-calorie fats has attracted attention in recent years.

Among the possible low-calorie fats or fat substitutes synthesized todate are polyglycerol esters, sucrose polyesters (SPE), neopentyl-typealcohols and other sugar derivatives such as sorbitol and mannitol,glycerol dialkyl ethers, triglyceride esters of alpha carboxylic acids,diglyceride esters of short-chain dibasic acids,trialkoxytricarballyate, polydextrose, palatinose, polygalactose, N-oil(tapioca dextrin), microbiologically derived products, nonabsorbablesynthetic polymers with properties similar to edible oil, tree-derivedproducts, low-metabolized natural fats and oils, biopolymers, branchedpolysaccharides and jojoba oil. Many of these are reviewed by Hamm, J.Food Sci. 49 419 (1984).

The present inventors have previously discovered a class of fatsubstitute materials comprising alkyl and hydroxyalkyl glycoside fattyacid polyesters, some of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,840,815and 4,942,054.

Another class of fat substitute materials of note are sucrose fatty acidpolyesters, which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,600,186, 4,368,213,and 4,461,782.

A significant problem associated with the use of liquid fat substitutematerials, i.e., those having a melting point at or below bodytemperature of about 37° C., is an undesired "laxative" effect, which ismanifested in leakage of the liquid fat substitute material through theanal sphincter after ingestion. As is common in the art of fatsubstitute materials, the phrases "laxative effect" and "anal leakageeffect" are equivalent terms for the present purposes.

Previously, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,195, it has been disclosed that thelaxative effect can be reduced or eliminated by combining higher meltingmaterial, such as solid triglycerides and solid sucrose polyesters, withthe liquid polyesters. Another approach to preventing the undesirablelaxative effect is to formulate the fat substitute materials to becompletely solid at body temperature.

Completely solid esters and solid triglycerides used as anti-laxativeagents have drawbacks when used in low calorie food compositions. Forexample, the high solids content can result in a "waxy" feel in themouth when ingested. It would be desirable to have a fat substitutecomposition that is effective at reducing calories and cholesterol andalso has a relatively low solids content, so that it does not feel waxyin the mouth. At the same time, it is also important that the fatsubstitute composition not exhibit the laxative side effect.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide agentsthat exert an anti-laxative effect when used in combination with fatsubstitute materials in foods.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide new methodsfor reducing the laxative side effects associated with fat substitutematerials as compared to the prior art.

The above and other objects of the present invention as will hereinafterbecome more readily apparent have been achieved by the presentinvention, which is disclosed in detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery by the present inventorsof new ways to reduce the laxative or anal-leakage effect ofnondigestible liquid fat substitutes. In one embodiment, the inventorsdiscovered that polyol fatty acid polyesters having three or fewer estergroups, which are at least partially digestible, can serve effectivelyas anti-laxative agents. In another embodiment of this invention, theinventors discovered that various types of emulsifiers and gums can alsoexert an anti-laxative effect when used with fat substitute materials.

The following are exemplary anti-laxative agents of this invention:polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (in bead form) [PGE]; polyglycerolesters of fatty acids (in plastic form) [PGE]; sucrose mono-, di-, andtri-polyesters; mono- and di-glycerides (in solid form) [MDG];microcrystalline cellulose (i.e., avicel); ethoxylated mono-,di-glycerides (e.g., Durfax EOM) [EMD]; monoglyceride (in bead form)(e.g., Dimodan PVK) [MG]; sorbitan esters of fatty acids (e.g., FamodanMS VEG) [SEFA]; glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids (in solid form)(e.g., Durlac 100 W) [GLE]; acetylated monoglycerides (e.g., Cetodan);poly glycerol lactic acid ester (e.g. Lactodan); propylene glycol monostearate; and xanthan gum. Thus, the present invention is directed tofat substitute compositions, which comprise a fat substitute materialand an anti-laxative agent as described herein, methods of reducing analleakage resulting from ingestion of food compositions containing fatsubstitute materials, and to low calorie food compositions containingthe fat substitute compositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Terminology

The fat substitute materials useful in connection with the presentinvention may vary widely in chemical structures, but all of them can bedescribed as edible, fat-like materials that are liquids at bodytemperature and, thus, exhibit an anal leakage or laxative effect afteringestion. In one preferred embodiment, these materials are polyol fattyacid polyesters. Such materials are referred to herein by the equivalentterms: "polyol fatty acid polyester fat substitute materials," or"polyol fat substitute materials." In another preferred embodiment,these materials are dicarboxylic acid esters based on malonic acid.These materials are referred to herein as "dicarboxylic acid ester fatsubstitute materials." Other specific fat substitute materials that maybe used in connection with this invention are: esterified propoxylatedglycerols, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,613;polysiloxanes, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,413;complex linked esters, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.4,963,386; polyvinyl oleates, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.4,915,974, and the like. Each of the U.S. patents cited herein isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference. The expression "fatsubstitute material" is used to refer to all of these various types ofmaterials, insofar as they are edible, fat-like materials that areliquids at body temperature. Typically, such fat substitutes will alsobe at most partially digestible (and preferably substantiallynondigestible). Although the present disclosure is preferably directedto human usage, such that body temperature is ca. 37° C., veterinaryusages are also contemplated. In the case of veterinary embodiments, thepresent invention is expected to be applicable when the fat substitutematerials cause an anal leakage or laxative effect when fed to ananimal, preferably a mammal. Mixtures of fat substitute materials arealso contemplated in connection with the present invention. A moredetailed description of the fat substitute materials is provided belowunder the heading "Fat Substitute Materials."

As noted above, when the fat substitute materials are liquid at bodytemperature, they have a tendency to cause an undesirable so-calledlaxative effect, i.e., leakage of the liquid fat substitute materialthrough the anal sphincter. This effect is referred to herein as the"laxative effect" or the "anal leakage effect."

The agents that are used to reduce or eliminate the laxative effect ofthe fat substitute materials of this invention are referred to herein as"anti-laxative agents" or "anti-anal leakage agents". These agents arecapable of reducing or preventing frank leakage of the fat substitutematerials; the natural stool-softening effect of the fat substitutematerials may not be substantially affected, but this latter effect isnot a significant problem.

The combination of a fat substitute material with an anti-laxative agentis referred to as a "fat substitute composition" herein.

Inclusion of a fat substitute composition of the present invention intoa food results in a "low calorie food composition." These foodcompositions will provide the benefits of low caloric content whilecausing reduced or, preferably, eliminated laxative side effects in amammal after ingestion of the low calorie food compositions.

Anti-Laxative Agents

The present inventors have discovered that certain compounds thatpossess emulsification properties exhibit an anti-laxative effect whenused in combination with fat substitute materials. In a first preferredembodiment of this invention, the anti-laxative agents are edible,digestible polyol fatty acid polyesters, which differ from the polyolfat substitute materials in that the anti-laxative agents contain threeor fewer esterified hydroxyl groups and are at least partiallydigestible. Therefore, these mono-, di-, and tri-fatty acid esters of apolyol are not considered fat substitute materials. Because theanti-laxative agents possess both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups,these compounds may be classified as amphipathic molecules, which haveemulsification properties. To exert the anti-laxative effect, thesepolyol fatty acid polyesters are typically non-liquid at 37° C.

In broad terms, the above-described anti-laxative agents are polyols,especially sugars or sugar alcohols esterified with three or fewer fattyacid groups. The polyol may be a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, or ahigher saccharide (e.g., a trisaccharide, etc.). Preferred polyols forpreparing the polyesters that are useful as anti-laxative agents in thepresent invention are selected from the group consisting of glucose andsucrose. The sugar may be in the form of a glycoside, wherein an alkylor hydroxyalkyl group is present on the anomeric carbon of the sugarresidue. For example, when the sugar is glucose, the glycoside is aglucoside. The alkyl and hydroxyalkyl residues will typically have fromabout 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms; thehydroxyalkyl residues will typically contain from 1 to 4 hydroxylgroups.

The anti-laxative polyols are esterified on three or fewer of the polyolhydroxyl groups with a fatty acid. Of the mono-, di-, and tri-esters,the mono-and di-esters are preferred because of their greateremulsification properties. The di- or tri-esters may contain multipleidentical fatty acids, or they can all be the same. The fatty acidpreferably has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and may be straightchain, branched, cyclic, or a mixture thereof. Although both saturatedand unsaturated fatty acids are possible, the fatty acids are preferablysaturated.

Specific nonlimiting examples of the above type of anti-laxative agentare the following: sucrose mono-, di-, and tri- palmitates andstearates, and methyl glucoside mono-, di-, and tri- palmitates andstearates.

In another embodiment of this invention, the present inventors havediscovered that certain other compounds, which can be characterized aseither emulsifiers or gums, have an anti-laxative effect when combinedwith a fat substitute material. Specific anti-laxative agents of theemulsifying type are: polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids (beads) [PGE];polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids (plastic) [PGE]; mono- anddi-glycerides (solid) [MDG]; microcrystalline cellulose; ethoxylatedmono-, di-glycerides (e.g., Durfax EOM) [EMD]; monoglyceride (bead)(e.g., Dimodan PVK) [MG]; sorbitan esters of fatty acids (e.g., FamodanMS VEG) [SEFA]; glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids (solid) (e.g.,Durlac 100 W) [GLE]; acetylated monoglycerides (e.g., Cetodan, availablefrom Grindsted Chemical Corp.); poly glycerol lactic acid ester (e.g.,Lactodan, available from Grindsted Chemical Corp.); and propylene glycolmono stearate. These compounds are distinct from the bulking agentswhich have previously been disclosed as useful in combination with fatsubstitute materials in U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,300.

Gums have also been found effective as anti-laxative agents. A specificgum found suitable as an anti-laxative agent is xanthan gum, preferablywhen used at levels of at least about 20% by weight of the fatsubstitute material.

By "polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids" is meant molecules containingfrom 3 to 10 glyceryl groups esterified to 1 to 10 C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acids.These compounds should also be non-liquids at room temperature to exerta sufficient anti-laxative effect. Those polyglyceryl esters of fattyacids that are in bead or plastic form at room temperature are effectiveanti-laxative agents, whereas those that are liquids at room temperatureare not.

By "mono- and di-glycerides" is meant molecules containing one glycerylgroup esterified to one or two C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acids. These compoundsshould also be non-liquids at room temperature to exert a sufficientanti-laxative effect. An example is Dur Em 207 E (bead form).

"Microcrystalline cellulose" is derived from crystallite zones found inregenerated, mercerized and alkali celluloses. By applying a chemicalpretreatment to destroy molecular bonds holding these crystallite zones,followed by mechanically treating to disperse the crystallites inaqueous phase, smooth, colloidal, microcrystalline cellulose gels withuseful functional and rheological properties are produced. An exemplarymaterial is Avicel cc691, which is a mixture of microcrystallinecellulose and carboxy-methyl cellulose.

"Ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides" are molecules containing oneglyceryl group esterified to one or two C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acids, wherein 1or 2 ethoxylate moieties are bonded to the glyceryl group by means of anether linkage. An example is Durfax™ EOM.

"Sorbitan esters of fatty acids" are made up of sorbitan esterified to 1to 4 C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acids. One example is Famodan™ MS VEG.

"Glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids" are made up of lactic acidesterified to a glyceryl group, and also, from 1 to 3 C₁ -C₁₈ fattyacids esterified to the molecule. One example is Durlac™ 100 W.

In preferred embodiments, the fatty acids in the above compounds are C₁₂-C₁₈ saturated acids.

The above anti-laxative agents are usually incorporated into the fatsubstitute compositions in an effective amount of from about 10% toabout 50% by weight based on the weight of the fat substitute material.Preferably, the amount will be from about 10% to about 30%, and mostpreferably from about 15% to about 25%. The anti-laxative agenttypically constitutes from about 0.5 to 10% by weight of the overall lowcalorie food composition. Mixtures of one or more of the above-describedfat substitute materials and/or anti-laxative agents may be incorporatedinto the fat substitute composition, where desired.

Fat Substitute Materials

The following are some representative fat substitute materials, whichare included for illustrative purposes.

In a first embodiment, the fat substitute materials of the presentinvention are edible, non-digestible polyol fatty acid polyesters thatcause a laxative effect when ingested by a mammal. The polyester fatsubstitutes that cause the laxative effect are those that are liquid atbody temperature (e.g., 37° C. for humans). Preferred polyol fatty acidpolyester fat substitute materials are sugar fatty acid polyesters, andsugar alcohol fatty acid polyesters. Preferred polyol fat substitutematerials are sucrose polyesters and alkyl/hydroxyalkyl glycosidepolyesters. The sugars will typically contain from 4 to 8 hydroxylgroups.

Sugar and sugar alcohol fatty acid polyesters comprise sugar moietiesand fatty acid moieties. The term "sugar" is used as generic to mono-,di-, and trisaccharides, and to both reducing or nonreducing sugars. Theterm "sugar" includes glycosides derived from reducing sugars, e.g.,alkyl and hydroxyalkyl glycosides. The term "sugar alcohol" is used asgeneric to the reduction product of sugars in which the aldehyde orketone group has been reduced to an alcohol. The fatty acid estercompounds are prepared by reacting a monosaccharide, disaccharide,trisaccharide, sugar alcohol, alkyl glycoside or hydroxyalkyl glycosidewith a fatty acid as described previously, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,973,489; 4,942,054; and 4,840,815, which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Examples of suitable monosaccharides are those containing four hydroxylgroups, such as xylose, arabinose, and ribose; the sugar alcohol derivedfrom xylose, i.e., xylitol, is also suitable. The monosaccharideerythrose is not suitable as the fat substitute material since it onlycontains three hydroxyl groups; however, the sugar alcohol derived fromerythrose, i.e., erythritol, contains four hydroxyl groups and is thussuitable. Among five hydroxyl-containing monosaccharides that aresuitable for use herein are glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, andsorbose. A sugar alcohol derived from sucrose, glucose, or sorbose,e.g., sorbitol, contains six hydroxyl groups and is also suitable as thealcohol moiety of the fatty acid ester compound. Examples of suitabledisaccharides are maltose, lactose, and sucrose, all of which containeight hydroxyl groups. An example of a suitable trisaccharide israffinose.

In preparing sugar or sugar alcohol fatty acid polyesters of the presentinvention a sugar or sugar alcohol compound such as those identifiedabove may also be esterified with one type or a mixture of fatty acidshaving from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable fattyacids are caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, myristoleic, palmitic,palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, ricinoleic, linoleic, and linolenic. Thefatty acids can be derived from naturally occurring or synthetic fattyacids and can be saturated or unsaturated, including positional andgeometric isomers.

Fatty acids per se or naturally occurring fats and oils can serve as thesource for the fatty acid component of the polyester fat substitutematerial. For example, C₁₆ -C₁₈ fatty acids can be provided by tallow,soybean oil, or cottonseed oil. Shorter chain fatty acids can beprovided by coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oils. Corn oil, lard, oliveoil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, andsunflower seed oil, are examples of other natural oils which can serveas the source of the fatty acid component.

The polyol fatty acid polyesters (both those suitable for use as fatsubstitute materials and as anti-laxative agents) can be prepared by anyof a variety of methods well known to those skilled in the art. Thesemethods include: transesterification of the sugar or sugar alcohol withmethyl, ethyl or glycerol fatty acid esters using a variety ofcatalysts; acylation of the sugar or sugar alcohol with a fatty acidchloride; acylation of the sugar or sugar alcohol with a fatty acidanhydride; and acylation of the sugar or sugar alcohol with a fatty acidper se. As an example, the preparation of sugar and sugar alcohol fattyacid esters is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,831,845, incorporated hereinby reference. Other examples of suitable reactants, procedures andconditions may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,973,489; 4,942,054; and4,840,815, each of which is also incorporated by reference herein.

Two important features of the polyester fat substitute materials usefulin this invention are that they predominantly contain at least fourfatty acid polyester groups and that they melt at 37° C. or less. Polyolfatty acid polyester compounds that contain four or more fatty acidester groups are digested very little if at all and thus have desirablelow calorie properties for use as fat substitutes. In contrast, polyolfatty acid polyester compounds that contain three or fewer fatty acidester groups are digested in the intestinal tract much in the manner asordinary triglyceride fats; they are useful as anti-laxative agents butnot as fat substitutes.

Preferred polyol fat substitute materials for the purposes of thisinvention are sucrose fatty acid polyesters. Especially preferredsucrose fatty acid polyesters have the majority of their hydroxyl groupsesterified with fatty acids. Preferably at least about 85%, and mostpreferably at least about 95%, of the sucrose fatty acid polyesters areselected from the group consisting of octaesters, heptaesters andhexaesters, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, no more than about 35% ofthe esters are hexaesters or heptaesters, and at least about 60% of thesucrose fatty acid polyesters are octaesters. Most preferably, at leastabout 70% of the sucrose polyesters are octaesters.

Other preferred polyol fat substitute materials are alkyl orhydroxyalkyl glycoside fatty acid polyesters. Alkyl/hydroxyalkylglycosides are the reaction products of a reducing mono-, di-, ortrisaccharide with a monohydric, dihydric, trihydric or tetrahydricalcohol having from 2 to 18 carbons (excluding carbon atoms contained inany hydroxyl protecting groups used in synthesizing the esters). Thefatty acid portion of the alkyl glycoside preferably has 4 to 18 carbonatoms. These fatty acids may be saturated, unsaturated, straight chain,branched, cyclic, or a mixture thereof. The preferred glycosides areformed of glucose, galactose, lactose, or maltose and ethanol, propanol,monohydroxyl protected propanediol, or dihydroxy protected glycerol. Thedihydroxy protected glycerol is preferably 1,2-isopropylidene glycerolor 1,3-benzylidene glycerol.

In a second embodiment, the fat substitute materials are edible,non-digestible dicarboxylic acid esters, such as those previouslydisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,581 and 4,582,927, which are herebyincorporated by reference. These esters have the general formula:##STR1## wherein R₁ and R₂ are H or C₁ -C₂₀ alkyl groups and X and Y areC₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl, alkenyl, or dienyl groups. These compounds are syntheticoils or low-melting solids (i.e., they have a melting point of about 37°C. or less).

Preferably, at least one R group is a C₁ -C₂₀ alkyl group and the otherR group is hydrogen or a C₁ -C₂₀ alkyl group. In particularly preferredcompounds, one R group is hydrogen and the other R group is a C₁₆ -C₁₈alkyl group, or both R groups are C₁₆ -C₁₈ alkyl groups.

The X and Y groups are preferably C₁₄ -C₁₈ alkyl, alkenyl or dienylgroups.

Two exemplary fat substitutes of this type are hexadecyl dioleylmalonateand dihexadecyl dioleylmalonate.

Exemplary fatty alcohols suitable for use in this embodiment of theinvention are oleic, myristic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic alcohols.Suitable acids are malonic, monoalkylmalonic, and dialkylmalonic acids.Mixtures of these fat substitutes may be utilized where desired.

In a third embodiment, esterified propoxylated glycerols are employed asthe fat substitute materials. These molecules have the followingexemplary formula: ##STR2## wherein x+y+z≧5, and R₁, R₂, and R₃ areindependently selected from fatty acids. Preferably, the fatty acids areC₈ -C₂₄ moieties, which may be straight chain, branched, saturated orunsaturated.

In a fourth embodiment, the fat substitute material is a complex linkedester, having the following exemplary formula: ##STR3## wherein R is alinking covalent bond or saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group; n is2 to 6; and the R' groups comprise residues defined by the followingformula: ##STR4## where: C is a carbon atom;

X is a bridging bonding valence, hydrogen, or substituted orunsubstituted lower aliphatic group (e.g., C₁ -C₄), the various X groupsbeing the same or different; ##STR5## --O--R" (alkoxy), or --R"'--O--R"(alkylalkoxy) radicals; with the proviso that at least one of the Qradicals be other than carboxy;

R" is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, containing, forexample, no more than 30 carbons, e.g., ##STR6## the various R' and R"groups, respectively, being the same or different; R'" is a loweralkylene, desirably methylene or ethylene, preferably methylene, groupwhich can be the same or different;

T is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, e.g.,no greater than 22 carbons, containing 0 to 5 unsaturated linkages(e.g., C═C double bonds, C.tbd.C triple bonds) per T residue;

Z is a bridging bonding valence, hydrogen, or an alcohol, glycol, ester,e.g., ##STR7## ether, or the like, residue; with the proviso that thereis only one bridging bonding valence per R' group;

and where:

a=0 to 3, preferably 0 to 2;

b=0 to 4, preferably 0 to 1;

d=1 or 2;

e=0 to 5, preferably 1 to 2;

f=0 to 3, preferably 0 to 2;

g=0 to 4, preferably 0 to 1;

h=1 or 2;

j=0 to 10, preferably 0 to 3.

Preferably, each R' group will contain from 2 to 3, most desirably 2, Qradicals.

In a fifth embodiment, the fat substitute may be a polysiloxane, havingthe following exemplary formula: ##STR8## wherein each R isindependently selected from C₁ -C₆ lower alkyl, phenyl, preferablymethyl and/or phenyl, and n ranges from 1 to 100.

In a sixth embodiment, the fat substitute material is polyvinyl alcoholesterified with fatty acids. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol backbonehas a molecular weight of from 500 to 8000, particularly preferably,1000 to 5000. The fatty acids are preferably C₄ -C₃₀, straight chain orbranched, saturated or unsaturated. C₁₀ -C₂₂ fatty acids are preferred.Especially preferred is the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid.

Other exemplary fat substitute materials suitable for use in connectionwith this invention are trialkoxycarballyates and polydextroses.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments of the fat substitutematerials are only examples of the range of fat substitute materialsthat can be used in connection with the present invention. That is, thepresent anti-laxative agents are contemplated to be useful with any fatsubstitute material that is a liquid at body temperature and creates ananal leakage problem upon ingestion. These fat substitute materialsshould also be "fat-like" in terms of mouth feel and physiochemicalproperties (e.g., rheology, viscosity, and the like).

Low Calorie Food Compositions

The fat substitute compositions comprising the fat substitute materialsand the anti-laxative agents can be used as a partial or totalreplacement for normal fats in any fat-containing food to provide lowcalorie benefits. The amount of the fat substitute composition to besubstituted for the fat ingredients to produce a low calorie fooddepends on the application. In most cases, greater than 10% of the fatingredients are replaced with the fat substitute composition to achievemeaningful calorie reduction. Up to 100% of the fat ingredients of afood can be substituted with the fat substitute compositions of thepresent invention. However, it is recognized that fat ingredientsprovide many essential nutrients in human and animal diets. For example,fat ingredients in foods provide fatty acids, which are precursors ofthe prostaglandins as well as being carriers for fat-soluble vitamins.It is therefore preferred that less than 100% of the fat ingredients bereplaced by the fat substitute compositions of the instant invention inany one food product. Accordingly, it is preferred that from 25% to 85%of the fat ingredients in a food be replaced with a fat substitutecomposition according to the present invention. Particularly preferably33% to 75% of the fat ingredients are replaced with a fat substitutecomposition.

Incorporation of the fat substitute compositions of the presentinvention may be carried out by including a measured quantity thereof toa foodstuff or by cooking (e.g., frying) the foodstuff in the fatsubstitute compositions, etc.

Methods of Reducing Anal Leakage

Also provided by the present invention are methods of reducing analleakage in a mammal after ingestion by the mammal of a food compositioncomprising the fat substitute compositions of the present invention.Essentially, the method involves incorporating an amount of one or moreof the anti-laxative agents described hereinabove effective to reduce oreliminate anal leakage of the fat substitute material. The effectiveamount of the anti-laxative agent is described above. Preferably theanti-laxative agent will be added to the fat substitute material to forma fat substitute composition prior to addition to the food. However, theanti-laxative agent could be added to the food before or after a fatsubstitute material is included in the food.

The following examples are intended to be illustrative of the presentinvention and to teach one of ordinary skill how to make and use theinvention. These examples are not intended in any way to limit theinvention or otherwise limit the protection afforded by Letters Patenthereon.

EXAMPLE I

An emulsifier feeding study was conducted to determine disposition ofanal leakage in rats.

Rats

Species--Sprague Dawley; Weight--150 to 250 g; Sex--Female

Feed

Teklad rat chow (fat free)--granular

The feed is admixed with Sucrose Polyesters (Oleate) at a level of 16%as the fat substitute material. Of the 16% SPE-Oleate, 20% consists ofthe specific emulsifier, respectively.

Emulsifiers

The following were the emulsifiers tested:

Poly Glyceryl Esters of Fatty Acids (liquid) [PGE];

Poly Glyceryl Esters of Fatty Acids (beads) [PGE];

Poly Glyceryl Esters of Fatty Acids (plastic) [PGE];

Sucrose Polyesters (mixture of mono-, di-, and tri-esters) [DK20];

Polypropylene Alginate [PPA];

Mono- and Di- Glycerides (solid) [MDG];

Locust Bean Gum [Loc. Bean];

Carboxy Methyl Cellulose [CMC]; and

Avicel cc691.

Controls

Sucrose Polyester (Oleate) [SPE]; Peanut Oil

Scoring

The degree of anal leakage is determined on a scale of 0 to 4, definedas follows:

0=None; 1=Trace; 2=Slight; 3=Moderate; 4=Severe

Those compounds that rated less than one are preferred as anti-laxativeagents. Those that rated 1 or slightly above one can also be used asanti-laxative agents. Scoring was conducted twice daily.

The results are reported in the following Table 1:

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                        AVERAGE    %                                                  DIET            SCORE      EFFECTIVENESS                                      ______________________________________                                        1.  PGE (liquid)    1.18       70.50                                          2.  PGE (beads)     0.33       91.75                                          3.  PGE (plastics)  0.69       82.75                                          4.  DK20 - SPE      0.49       87.75                                          5.  PPA             2.22       44.50                                          6.  MDG (solid)     0.18       95.50                                          7.  Loc. Bean       2.07       48.25                                          8.  CMC             1.62       59.5                                           9.  Avicel 691      1.00       75.00                                          10. SPE - Control   2.59       35.25                                          11. Peanut Oil - Control                                                                          0.00       100.00                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE II

An emulsifier feeding study was done to determine disposition of analleakage in rats.

Rats

Species--Sprague Dawley; Weight--150 to 250 g; Sex--Female

Feed

Teklad rat chow (fat free)--granular

The feed was admixed with Sucrose Polyesters (Oleate) at a level of 16%as the fat substitute material. Of the 16% SPE-Oleate, 20% consists ofthe specific emulsifier, respectively, except that in the case of themono-, di- glycerides, 10% consists of the specific emulsifier.

Emulsifiers

The following are the emulsifiers tested:

Lecithin - Alcolec F100;

Mono-, Di- Glyceride (solid) 10% - Dur Em 207E Beads [MD];

Ethoxylated Mono-, Di- Glycerides - Durfax EOM [EMD];

Polysorbate 60- Durfax 60K [Poly 60];

Sodium Stearoyl Lactolate - Artodan SP55K [SSL];

Mono- Glyceride (soft plastic) - Dimodan LSK [MG];

Mono- Glyceride (plastic) - Dimodan CPK [MG];

Mono- Glyceride (bead) - Dimodan PVK [MG];

Sorbitan Esters of Fatty Acids - Famodan MS VEG [SEFA];

Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono Glycerides - Panodan FDP [DATAE];and

Glyceryl-Lacto Esters of Fatty Acids (solid) - Durlac 100 W [GLE].

Controls

Sucrose Polyester (Oleate) [SPE]; Peanut Oil

The degree of anal leakage is determined on a scale of 0 to 4, definedas follows:

0=None; 1=Trace; 2=Slight; 3=Moderate; 4=Severe

Scoring was conducted twice daily.

The results are reported in the following Table 2:

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                      AVERAGE                                                         DIET          SCORE      % EFFECTIVENESS                                      ______________________________________                                        1.  Lecithin      1.56       61.00                                            2.  MD 10%        0.69       82.75                                            3.  EMD           1.02       74.50                                            4.  POLY 60       1.08       73.00                                            5.  SSL           1.46       63.50                                            6.  MG soft plastic                                                                             2.37       40.75                                            7.  MG plastic    2.10       47.50                                            8.  MG bead       0.85       78.75                                            9.  SEFA          1.07       73.25                                            10. DATAE         1.39       64.75                                            11. GLE           0.26       93.50                                            12. SPE - control 2.58       35.50                                            13. PEANUT OIL -  0.00       100.00                                               control                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

What follows is two more examples.

EXAMPLE III

A feeding study was done to determine the disposition of anal leakage inrats fed with a fat substitute material containing various emulsifiersor gums as an anti-anal leakage agent. The rats were female, of theSprague Dawley species, weighing 150 to 200 grams. The rats were fedTeklad fat free rat chow, admixed with sucrose polyester (oleic acidesters) as a fat substitute material and the specific emulsifier or gumto be tested. The combined sucrose polyester and the specific emulsifieror gum being tested comprised 16% by weight of the mixture, based on theweight of the fat free Teklad rat chow. The specific emulsifier or gumbeing tested comprised 20% by weight of the combined sucrose polyesterand emulsifier or gum.

The degree of anal leakage resulting was determined once each day, andscored on a scale of 0 to 4, defined as follows: 0=no anal leakage;1=trace anal leakage; 2=slight anal leakage; 3=mild anal leakage; and4=severe anal leakage.

Each formulation of feed, sucrose polyester, and specific emulsifier orgum being tested was fed to each of a group of five rats for a period often days. The anal leakage over the period of the experiment was scoredfor each rat, and then averaged over the ten-day period. The averagescores were also converted to a percent effectiveness, as follows: anaverage score of 0=100% effectiveness; an average score of 1=75%effectiveness; an average score of 2=50% effectiveness; an average scoreof 3=25% effectiveness; and an average score of 4=0% effectiveness. Onefeed formulation contained 100% of the sucrose polyester (oleic acidesters), with no added emulsifier or gum, as a control.

The following emulsifiers or gums were tested:

Acetylated Monoglycerides--Cetodan, available from Grindsted ChemicalCorp.;

Hydroxylated Lecithin ("Lecithin");

Xanthan Gum;

Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate ("SHMP");

Carrageenan Gum;

Pectin;

Mono-, Di-Glycerides 20%--Emuldan, solid ("Emuldan"); and

Sucrose Polyester ("SPE") (Control).

The results achieved from feeding studies for formulations containingeach of these emulsifiers or gums are listed below in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                                         AVERAGE     % EFFECT-                                        EMULSIFIER/GUM   SCORE       IVENESS                                          ______________________________________                                        Acetylated Monoglycerides                                                                      0.26        93.50                                            Lecithin         1.66        59.50                                            Xanthan Gum      1.16        71.00                                            SHMP             2.54        36.50                                            Carrageenan Gum  1.72        54.50                                            Pectin           2.22        44.50                                            Emuldan 20%      0.00        100.00                                           SPE              3.00        25.00                                            ______________________________________                                    

Acetylated monoglycerides and Emuldan 20% were found to be effectiveanti-anal leakage agents. Xanthan gum was also found to be a suitableanti-anal leakage agent at this concentration. Hydroxylated lecithinindicated promise as being an effective anti-anal leakage agent athigher percentages.

EXAMPLE IV

A feeding study was done to determine the disposition of anal leakage inrats fed with a fat substitute material containing various emulsifiersor gums as an anti-anal leakage agent. The rats were female, of theSprague Dawley species, weighing 150 to 200 grams. The rats were fedTeklad fat free rat chow, admixed with sucrose polyesters (oleate) as afat substitute material and the specific emulsifier or gum to be tested.The combined sucrose polyester and the specific emulsifier or gum beingtested comprised 16% by weight of the mixture, based on the weight ofthe fat free Teklad rat chow. A specific emulsifier or gum being testedcomprised 20% by weight of the combined sucrose polyester and emulsifieror gum, except in the case of the mono-, di-glycerides (Emuldan). TheEmuldan comprised 20%, 10% or 5% of the combined sucrose polyester andEmuldan, as indicated.

The degree of anal leakage resulting was determined once each day, andscored on a scale of 0 to 4, defined as follows: 0=no anal leakage;1=trace anal leakage; 2=slight anal leakage; 3=mild anal leakage; and4=severe anal leakage.

Each formulation of feed, sucrose polyester, and specific emulsifier orgum being tested was fed to each of a group of five rats for a period often days. The anal leakage over the period of the experiment was scoredfor each rat, and then averaged over the ten day period. The averagescores were also converted to a percent effectiveness, as follows: anaverage score of 0=100% effectiveness; an average score of 1=75%effectiveness; an average score of 2=50% effectiveness; an average scoreof 3=25% effectiveness; and an average score of 4=0% effectiveness.

The following emulsifiers and gums were tested:

Mono-, Di-Glycerides 10%--Emuldan ("Emuldan 10%");

Gum Arabic;

Poly Glycerol Lactic Acid Ester--Lactodan, available from GrindstedChemical Corp. ("Lactodan");

Mono-, Di-Glycerides 5%--Emuldan ("Emuldan 5%");

Propylene Glycol Mono Stearate ("PGMS");

Sucrose Polyester ("SPE");

Guar Gum;

Poly Aldo Deca Glycerol Deca Stearate Palmitate mixture, available fromLanza Chemical Corp. ("Poly Aldo DGDSP");

Poly Aldo Hexa Glycerol Mono Palmitate, available from Lanza ChemicalCorp. ("Poly Aldo HGMP");

Gellan Gum, available from Kelco, Inc.; and

Mono-, Di-Glycerides 20%--Emuldan ("Emuldan 20%").

Results from feeding studies conducted with these emulsifiers and gumsare listed below in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                                         AVERAGE     % EFFECT-                                        EMULSIFIER/GUM   SCORE       IVENESS                                          ______________________________________                                        Emuldan 10%      0.74        81.50                                            Gum Arabic       3.36        16.00                                            Lactodan         0.44        90.00                                            Emuldan 5%       2.59        44.00                                            PGMS             0.00        100.00                                           SPE              3.30        17.50                                            Guar Gum         2.10        47.00                                            Poly Aldo DGDSP  2.74        31.50                                            Poly Aldo HGMP   2.74        31.00                                            Gellan Gum       1.44        64.00                                            Emuldan 20%      0.00        100.00                                           ______________________________________                                    

Emuldan at concentrations of about 10 to 20%, Lactodan, and propyleneglycol mono stearate were found to be effective anti-anal leakageagents. Based on the performance of propylene glycol mono stearate, polyglycerol mono stearates in general are suspected as being suitableanti-anal leakage agents. Gellan gun showed promise as an anti-analleakage agent if included at higher concentrations (i.e., greater than20%).

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, other modifications may be made thereto and other embodimentsmay be devised within the spirit of the invention and scope of theappended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A fat substitutecomposition, comprising: an edible, substantially non-digestible fatsubstitute material having a melting point of about 37° C. or less, incombination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent selected fromthe group consisting of: non-liquid polyglyceryl esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides; ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters ofat least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; glyceryl-lacto esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acidester; propylene glycol mono stearate; xanthan gum; and mixturesthereof, said anti-laxative agent being contained in said composition ata level of at least 10% by weight of said fat substitute material toreduce leakage of said non-digestible fat substitute material throughthe anal sphincter of a mammal.
 2. A composition according to claim 1,wherein said anti-laxative agent is an acetylated monoglyceride.
 3. Acomposition according to claim 1, wherein said anti-laxative agent ispropylene glycol mono stearate.
 4. A composition according to claim 1,wherein said anti-laxative agent is poly glycerol lactic acid ester. 5.A composition according to claim 1, wherein said anti-laxative agent isxanthan gum.
 6. A composition according to claim 1, wherein saidanti-laxative agent is non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein saidanti-laxative agent is included at a level of 10 to 25% by weight basedon the weight of the fat substitute material.
 8. A composition accordingto claim 1, wherein said fat substitute material is a polyol fatty acidpolyester, having at least 4 fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyolis a sugar or sugar alcohol containing 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups and eachfatty acid has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms.
 9. A compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said fat substitute material is acombination of hexa-, hepta-, and octa-esters of sucrose with fattyacids having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms.
 10. The fatsubstitute composition of claim 1, wherein the anti-laxative agent is anon-liquid polyglyceryl ester of at least one C1-C18 fatty acid.
 11. Thefat substitute composition of claim 1, wherein the anti-laxative agentis an ethoxylated mono- or di-glyceride.
 12. The fat substitutecomposition of claim 1, wherein the anti-laxative agent is a sorbitanester of at least one C1-C18 fatty acid.
 13. The fat substitutecomposition of claim 1, wherein the anti-laxative agent is aglyceryl-lacto ester of at least one C1-C18 fatty acid.
 14. A method ofreducing anal leakage in a mammal after ingestion by said mammal of afood composition comprising an edible, substantially non-digestible fatsubstitute material having a melting point of about 37° C. or less,comprising:incorporating into said food composition an emulsifier as ananti-laxative agent, wherein the emulsifier is included at a level of atleast 10% by weight of said fat substitute material and comprisesselected from the group consisting of: non-liquid polyglyceryl esters ofat least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides; ethoxylated C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- and di-glycerides;sorbitan esters of at least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; glyceryl-lactoesters of at least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; acetylated monoglycerides;poly glycerol lactic acid ester; propylene glycol mono stearate; xanthangum; and mixtures thereof.
 15. A method according to claim 10, whereinsaid anti-laxative agent is non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides.
 16. A method according to claim 10, wherein saidanti-laxative agent is included at a level of from 10 to 25% by weightbased on the weight of said fat substitute material contained in saidfood composition.
 17. A method according to claim 14, wherein saidanti-laxative agent is an acetylated monoglyceride.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said anti-laxative agent is poly glycerollactic acid ester.
 19. A method according to claim 14, wherein saidanti-laxative agent is propylene glycol mono stearate.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said anti-laxative agent is xanthan gum.21. A method according to claim 14, wherein said fat substitute materialis a polyol fatty acid polyester having at least 4 fatty acid estergroups, wherein the polyol is a sugar or sugar alcohol containing 4 to 8hydroxyl groups and each fatty acid has from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms.22. A method according to claim 14, wherein said fat substitute materialis a combination of hexa-, hepta-, and octa-esters of sucrose with fattyacids having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms.
 23. A fat substitutecomposition, comprising: an edible, substantially non-digestible fatsubstitute material having a melting point of about 37° C. or less, incombination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent selected fromthe group consisting of: non-liquid polyglyceryl esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides; ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters ofat least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; glyceryl-lacto esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acidester; propylene glycol mono stearate; xanthan gum; and mixturesthereof, said anti-laxative agent being contained in said composition ata level of greater than 5% by weight of said fat substitute compositionto reduce leakage of said non-digestible fat substitute material throughthe anal sphincter of a mammal.
 24. A method of reducing anal leakage ina mammal after ingestion by said mammal of a food composition comprisingan edible, substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having amelting point of about 37° C. or less, comprising:incorporating intosaid food composition an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent, whereinthe emulsifier is present at a level of greater than 5% by weight ofsaid food composition and is selected from the group consisting of:non-liquid polyglyceryl esters of at least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid;non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- and di-glycerides; ethoxylated C₁-C₁₈ fatty acid mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; glyceryl-lacto esters of at least one C₁ -C₁₈ fattyacid; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acid ester;propylene glycol mono stearate; xanthan gum; and mixtures thereof.
 25. Alow calorie food composition comprising fat ingredients and nonfatingredients, wherein greater than 40% by weight of the fat ingredientscomprise:an edible, substantially non-digestible fat substitute materialhaving a melting point of about 37° C. or less that exhibits a laxativeeffect, in combination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agentselected from the group consisting of: non-liquid polyglyceryl esters ofat least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; non-liquid C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid mono- anddi-glycerides; ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters ofat least one C₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; glyceryl-lacto esters of at least oneC₁ -C₁₈ fatty acid; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acidester; propylene glycol mono stearate; xanthan gum; and mixturesthereof, said anti-laxative agent being contained in said foodcomposition in an amount sufficient to reduce leakage of saidnon-digestible fat substitute material through the anal sphincter of amammal.
 26. The low calorie food composition of claim 25, whereingreater than 60% of the fat ingredients by weight comprise the combinedfat substitute material and anti-laxative agent.
 27. The low caloriefood composition of claim 25, wherein the anti-laxative agent isincluded at a level of at least 10% by weight of the fat substitutematerial.
 28. A fat substitute composition, comprising:an edible,substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a meltingpoint of about 37° C. or less, in combination with an emulsifier as ananti-laxative agent, wherein the emulsifier comprises a digestiblepolyol fatty acid polyester having at most 3 fatty acid ester groups,wherein the polyol is a sugar or sugar alcohol containing from 4 to 8hydroxyl groups and wherein each acid group has from about 8 to about 18carbon atoms, said anti-laxative agent being in said composition at alevel of at least 10% by weight of said fat substitute material toreduce leakage of said fat material through the anal sphincter of amammal.
 29. A composition according to claim 28, wherein said polyol isselected from the group consisting of glucose and sucrose.
 30. Acomposition according to claim 29, wherein said anti-laxative agent is amember selected from the group consisting of mono-, di-, andtri-palmitates and stearates of sucrose.
 31. A composition according toclaim 29, wherein said anti-laxative agent is a member selected from thegroup consisting of methyl glucoside mono-, di-, and tri-palmitates andstearates.
 32. A composition according to claim 28, wherein said fatsubstitute material is a polyol fatty acid polyester having at least 4fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyol is a sugar or sugar alcoholcontaining 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups and each fatty acid has from about 8to about 18 carbon atoms.
 33. A composition according to claim 32,wherein said fat substitute material is a combination of hexa-, hepta-,and octa-esters of sucrose with fatty acids having from about 8 to about18 carbon atoms.
 34. A method of reducing anal leakage in a mammal afteringestion by said mammal of a food composition comprising an edible,substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a meltingpoint of about 37° C. or less, comprising:incorporating into said foodcomposition an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent, wherein saidemulsifier is included at a level of at least 10% by weight of said fatsubstitute material and comprises a digestible polyol fatty acidpolyester having at most 3 fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyolis a sugar or sugar alcohol containing from 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups andwherein each fatty acid group has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms.35. A fat substitute composition, comprising:an edible, substantiallynon-digestible fat substitute material having a melting point of about37° C. or less, in combination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxativeagent, wherein the emulsifier comprises a digestible polyol fatty acidpolyester having at most 3 fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyolis a sugar or sugar alcohol containing from 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups andwherein each acid group has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, saidagent being contained in said fat substitute composition at a level ofgreater than 5% by weight of said fat substitute composition to reduceleakage of said fat substitute material through the anal sphincter of amammal.
 36. A method of reducing anal leakage in a mammal afteringestion by said mammal of a food composition comprising an edible,substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a meltingpoint of about 37° C. or less, comprising:incorporating into said foodcomposition an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent, wherein saidemulsifier is included at a level of greater than 5% by weight of saidfood composition and is a digestible polyol fatty acid polyester havingat most 3 fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyol is a sugar orsugar alcohol containing from 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups and wherein eachfatty acid group has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, saidanti-laxative agent being contained in said food composition in anamount sufficient to reduce leakage of said fat substitute materialthrough the anal sphincter of a mammal.
 37. A low calorie foodcomposition comprising fat ingredients and nonfat ingredients, whereingreater than 40% by weight of the fat ingredients comprise:an edible,substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a meltingpoint of about 37° C. or less that exhibits a laxative effect, incombination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent, wherein theemulsifier comprises a digestible polyol fatty acid polyester having atmost 3 fatty acid ester groups, wherein the polyol is a sugar or sugaralcohol containing from 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups and wherein each acidgroup has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, said agent being insaid food composition in an amount sufficient to reduce leakage of saidfat substitute material through the anal sphincter of a mammal.
 38. Thelow calorie food composition of claim 37, wherein greater than 60% ofthe fat ingredients by weight comprise the combined fat substitutematerial and anti-laxative agent.
 39. The low calorie food compositionof claim 37, wherein the anti-laxative agent is included at a level ofat least 10% by weight of the fat substitute material.